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Taylor Pryor - an amazing young woman - a world changer. We need to act to improve our health care system, in particular to have more robust and co-ordinated services for children and adults with concussions.


Monday, March 9, in Question Period, I asked whether the Minister of Health will support the family's request for an inquest on the death of Taylor, and whether the Minister is prepared to act to ensure improvements in services for those who have a concussion.  My question and the Minister's response is below. 

Individuals with Brain Injuries - Expansion of Services Needed

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, the family of Taylor Pryor shared her story today. It is a tragic story of a health-care system in disarray. Taylor Pryor was an amazing young woman in the words of her family, a world-changer, who suffered a concussion and saw her life turned upside down. 
      In Manitoba today, among many other concerns, there is a huge lack of support for individuals with an acquired brain injury. Will the minister support the family's call for an inquest, and will the minister also act today to ensure that there are much more robust and co-ordinated services for children and adults with concussions and other acquired brain injuries?

Hon. Cameron Friesen  (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, I know the Pryor family. I met with them. They are carrying a tremendous burden in the loss of their daughter–a daughter that we knew well. Our daughters sang in the same choir together for some time, attended the same university.   No parent envies the path that they are walking. I sensed in them a tremendous humility and still there is much that we can learn from them.
            We know that there's a broad investigation underway. If there are learnings that our system can take away as a result of their experience, we are ready to learn and improve our system. But the VIRGO report clearly said that our system was in disarray, and we've inherited tremendous challenges.

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